Illuminated pencil



F. STRIDINGER AND R. MILLER.

ILLUMINATED PENCIL.

APPLICATION FILED DEC 11,1919.

Patent-ed June 14, 1921.

, avw ahtoz F Sfridi rger R Miller.

I I 861, wot Mu UNITED STATES FERDINAND STRIDINGER AND RUDOLPH MILLER, OF ST. MICHAEL, PENNSYLVANIA.

ILLUMINATED PENCIL.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1st, 1921.

Application filed December 11, 1919. Serial No. 344,011.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FERDINAND Srnn I'XG'ER and RunoLrr-r MILLER, citizens of the United States, residing at St. Michael, in the county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Illuminated Pencils, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide an illuminating device which. by virtue of its compactness and special features of construction isparticularly adapted for application to pencils and similar writing instruments in order that the writing sheet in proximity to the point of the writing in strunient is illuminated.

Another object is the provision of an. illu minating device of this character embodying a novel type of circuit closer conveniently operable by the finger of the operator in writing whereby the operation of the lighting element may be conveniently con trolled at the will of the operator.

it further object is the provision of a device of this character wherein the lighting device is mounted upon a tubular member constituting a support or holder for receiv ing conventional types of pencils whereby the illuminating attachment may be readily applied thereto.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, which will be more fully described in the following specification and then pointed out with particularity in the claims ap pended hereunto.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the illuminated pencil.

Fig. 2 represents a transverse sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1. and

Fig. 3 represents a longitudinal sectional view through the pencil.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 indicates a tubular casing or holder preferably constructed of a nonconductor of electricity and having a longitudinal bore slightly larger than the external diameter of conventional types of pencils (3. The pencil is so arranged that the pointed writing terminal thereof pro ects through one terminal of the holder 5 and is so disposed as to be conveniently gripped between the fingers as when writing and the from the terminal of the tubular holden.

As will be understood, the pencil may be readily removed from the holder and a new one substituted therefor or may be adjusted longitudinally of the holder in order that the point of the pencil may be conveniently resharpened in the usual manner.

An internally screw threaded lamp socket 8 removably receiving a conventional type of incandescent lamp 9 is preferably constructed of a relatively thin strip of sheet metal the terminal portions of which are extended radially from the socket 8 in close parallel relation and are subsequently curved to provide the relatively large supporting ring 10 which is anchored in the terminal of the holder 5 adjacent the pencil securing ring 7 and the extremities of the metallic strip are overlapped as indicated at 11 and secured by a fastening element. The parallel portions of the metallic strip connecting the ring 10 with the socket 8 project laterally from the terminal of the holder 5 and support the socket 8 in such position, together with the lamp 8, as to direct the light rays from the latter directly upon the writing sheet engaged by the point of the pencil 6 and a reflector 12 is adjustably connected with the terminal of the socket 8 adjacent the lamp 9 for concentrating the light rays upon the writing sheet.

A conducting strip 13 is anchored in the material of the holder 5, extends longitudinally thereof and is secured at one terminal. between the overlapped extremities of the ring 10 thereby forming an electrical connection therewith. The opposite end of the strip 13 terminates adjacent the opposite terminal of the holder 5 and is connected with a flexible conductor 14.

A second conducting strip 15 is arranged longitudinally in the holder 5 in spaced relation to the strip 13 and is provided with a laterally directed terminal 16 projecting exteriorly of the holder in proximity to the socket 8. The strip 15 is preferably formed of spring metal and the angular exposed extremity 16 thereof is normally disposed in spaced relation to the center electrode of the base of the lamp 9 but is readily engageable therewith, to close the electric circuit thereto, by slight pressure exerted by the finger upon the angular terminal 16. The end of the'conductor opposite the lamp terminates adjacent the terminal of the strip 13 and is electrically connected with a second flexible conductor 17.

A battery holder 18 preferably of such size as to be conveniently carried in the pocket of the user is provided and receives a comparatively small electric battery one terminal of: which is electrically connected with a metallic cap 19 removably secured over one terminal of the holder 18 which latter, as will be understood is constructed of non-conducting material. The conductor 17 is electrically connected with the cap 19 through a strip 19,and the opposite pole of the battery disposed in the holder 18 is connected with the other conductor 1% for the lamp through a metallic cap 20 secured over tne opposite terminal of the holder 18 and engaging the opposite pole of the battery.

In applying the invention to use, a pre ferred type or writing instrument 6 is inserted in the holder 5 and is subsequently secured in position therein by applying the retaining ring 7. The electrical circuit to the incandescent lamp 9 is normally broken at the space between the angular extremity 16 of the conducting strip 15 and the center electrode of the lamp but due to the convenient location of the flexible angular extremity 16 of the strip the latter may be readily engaged and depressed by one of the fingers utilized to grasp and guide the pencil in writing so as to close the circuit of the lamp and illuminate the writing sheet. When pressure on the contact member 16 is relaxed the latter is returned to its initial position by inherent resiliency and the electrical circuit to the incandescent lamp thus broken. As will be understood, the wires 1d and 17 are preferably of such length as to permit the battery and case to be carried in the pocket during use of the pencil, and, of course, the wires are of such flexible character as to permit of such use.

What we claim is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a tubular holder adapted to re ceive a writing instrument, a ring insertible between the holder and writing instrument to secure the latter in position in the holder, and illuminating means carried by the holder.

2. A device of the character described comprising a holder for writing instruments, electric lam supporting means arranged laterally thereof and a resilient laterally projecting circuit closing member carried by the holder normally disposed in spaced relation to and movable directly against the center elect-rodent a lamp mounted in said supporting means and arranged adjacent and engageable with the center electrode of the lamp.

3. A. device of the character described comprising a holder constructed of non-conducting material adapted to receive a writing instrument, a lamp socket arranged laterally in the holder, an incandescent lamp supported in said socket, a conducting strip anchored in said holder having a laterally projecting exposed and flexible terminal normally disposed in spaced relation to and engagcable with the center electrode of the lamp, and conductors connected with the socket and conducting strip.

4t. A device oi the character described comprising a holder adapted to receive a writing instrument, a conducting ring anchored in the terminal of the holder, a lamp socket connected with the ring and sup ported laterally and exteriorly of the holder adapted to receive an incandescent lamp provided with. a center electrode, a conducting member supported in the holder having an exposed angularly directed end normally disposed in spaced relation to and engageable with the center electrode of the incandescent lamp, the angular end of the conducting member being disposed adjacent that terminal of the holder carrying the marking element of the writing instrument so as to be conveniently engaged by a linger of the writing hand.

In testimony whereof we'allix our signatures hereto.

FERDINAND STRIDINGER. RUDOLPH MILLER. 

